The Greatest Invitation Ever Given: Lessons from the Shepherds' Christmas Story

From a message by Jon Alsdorf

When we think of Christmas, our minds often turn to the familiar scene: Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, shepherds in the fields, and angels announcing the birth of Jesus. This story, found in Luke chapter 2, represents what many consider the heart of the Christmas narrative. But beyond the beautiful imagery lies a profound invitation that changed everything.

What Made This Announcement So Special?
The Christmas story begins with a Roman census ordered by Caesar Augustus. This taxation required everyone to return to their ancestral towns to register. For Joseph, this meant traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem - the city of David - because he was from David's lineage.

Without this decree, Jesus would have been born in Nazareth. But God orchestrated these events so that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, fulfilling ancient prophecy. The timing seemed impossible - Mary was about to give birth, making travel extremely difficult. Yet this was the only opportunity they had to comply with the census.

Why Did God Choose Shepherds?
Of all the people God could have chosen to receive the first announcement of Jesus's birth, He selected shepherds. This choice was remarkable because shepherds occupied one of the lowest social positions in that culture. They were often viewed as untrustworthy and uneducated, even barred from testifying in court.

Yet throughout Scripture, God shows a special affinity for shepherds. From Abel to Abraham, from Moses to David, many of God's chosen servants were shepherds. Even Jesus would later call Himself "the good shepherd," embracing this humble title.

The First Gospel Message Ever Proclaimed
When the angel appeared to the shepherds, something unprecedented happened. This marked the very first time in all of Scripture that the gospel was clearly proclaimed. The angel's message was simple yet profound: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

Three Powerful Titles Revealed
The angel used three significant titles to describe the newborn Jesus:
Savior - One who rescues and delivers
Christ - The Messiah, God's anointed one
Lord - The supreme authority and ruler

These weren't just nice titles - they were declarations that this baby was fully God. When used together, these words could only appropriately describe Almighty God Himself.

The Sign That Changed Everything
The angel gave the shepherds a sign: "You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." While finding a baby wasn't unusual, and swaddling cloths were normal, finding one lying in a manger was extraordinary. This humble feeding trough became the cradle for the King of kings.

Suddenly, a multitude of heavenly hosts appeared, praising God and declaring: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased."

How Did the Shepherds Respond?
The shepherds' response teaches us everything about how to receive divine invitations. They didn't just take the angels' word for it - they went to see for themselves. "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

They went with haste, found everything exactly as the angel had said, and immediately became messengers themselves. They shared everything they had heard and seen with everyone they encountered.

Different Responses to the Same Message
The Scripture reveals two different responses to the shepherds' testimony:

The crowd's response: They "wondered" - but this was a passing moment of curiosity. They heard the amazing story, thought it was interesting, and moved on with their lives.

Mary's response: She "treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." Mary didn't just have a momentary reaction; she meditated on these events for the rest of her life, gathering them like precious treasures in her heart.

What Does This Mean for Us Today?
This Christmas story isn't just ancient history - it's a living invitation that continues today. We have access to far more revelation about Jesus than those shepherds did. They heard about a baby born to be Savior; we know about the Savior who lived, died, and rose again.

The Invitation Remains Open
Just as the shepherds were invited to "come and see," we're invited to experience Jesus for ourselves. We can see that sins are forgiven, grace is available, and lives are transformed through Him. The question is: will we respond like the shepherds, or will we stay with our "sheep" - our comfortable, familiar routines?

Life Application
The shepherds teach us three essential responses to God's invitation:

Be like the shepherds: Don't just take someone else's word about Jesus - go explore everything there is to know and experience about Him. Investigate His promises and see how He delivers on them.

Be like the angels: Share the good news with others. Just as the angels couldn't contain their excitement about Jesus's birth, we should be eager to tell others about the hope we've found in Him.

Be like Mary: Treasure God's word in your heart and ponder it deeply. Don't let spiritual truths become passing moments of wonder - let them transform your life from the inside out.

This week, ask yourself: Am I responding to God's invitation with the urgency of the shepherds? Am I sharing the good news like the angels? Am I treasuring God's word like Mary? The greatest invitation in human history has been extended to you - how will you respond?

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